Scientists believe that diet plays a role in the life cycle of viruses that infect human beings. Some of the foods we eat contain chemical compounds that may aggravate or improve infections. For example, nuts have been linked to more frequent outbreaks of herpes because they are high in the amino acid arginine. On the other hand, lysine has been observed to allay symptomatic infections, like cold sores.<\/p>\n
Herpes is a common viral infection. It is not life-threatening and usually run its course in the absence of medical treatment. Nonetheless, it has become a burden to most sufferers of the disease in many ways. For one, herpes is often associated with negative societal views, inasmuch as it is classified as a sexually transmitted disease. Moreover, the scientific community is yet to come up with a cure.<\/p>\n
Cold sores are the most common herpes infection. They are also known as fever blisters due to the painful watery lesions characteristic of the infection. Almost all cases of cold sores are caused by Herpes simplex virus type 1, which is often contracted via skin-to-skin contact rather than sexually. That being said, there has been an increasing trend in infections tied to Herpes simplex virus type 2.<\/p>\n
Individuals with compromised immune system are likely to experience more serious cases that last for over a month. Following a remission, herpes virus stays within the deep reaches of the nervous system, where antibodies cannot enter. It waits in hiding in the nerve cells until the time it successfully replicates and moves to the nerve endings in the skin and brings on cold sores.<\/p>\n
Nutrition is an important part of the immune responses responsible for fighting off cold sores. First, herpes takes advantage of weakened cells such as wounds close to nerve endings. Second, it needs an inhospitable environment to multiply at a fast rate. Foods that contain high levels of arginine tend to acid worsen inflammation of muscle tissues, providing a breeding ground for symptomatic replication.<\/p>\n
Lysine is exactly the opposite. It is an essential amino acid that is pivotal to the upkeep of countless proteins found in the human body. It is central to the production of the proteins elastin and collagen, both of which significantly contribute to the health of the skin. Healthy levels of skin proteins translate to less susceptibility to cold sores as herpes virus feeds on weakened cells to successfully propagate.<\/p>\n
More importantly, lysine has a direct impact on the immune system. For years, scientists have been investigating its role in immune responses, drawing on the fact that very low levels of lysine result in immune deficiency. To lessen the frequency of outbreaks, many health professionals recommend a diet with a low ratio of arginine to lysine. Also, lysine supplements help reduce severity of cold sores.<\/p>\n